5th Knowledge Exchange Forum Wednesday, 20th November 2013 COLLABORATION & ADVOCACY
Trust Joint Campaigns Alliances Platforms Partnerships
Networks
Call for Papers
Collaboration
Social justice advocates and policy makers consistently say that we need more and better collaboration. Research by The Advocacy Initiative shows that advocates, as well as the policymakers they aim to influence, all believe that better collaboration by community and voluntary sector actors will lead to more effective advocacy, and consequently better social justice outcomes. Collaborative advocacy takes many forms. Advocates work together in networks, platforms, alliances, joint campaigns, or once off activities. Collaboration can range from very informal information sharing to formalized structures to once-off reactive campaigns aimed at resisting a suggested policy change. Collaboration and partnerships can be local, national, international or a combination and can be limited to community and voluntary sector actors or involve a variety of stakeholders including trade unions, media, think tanks, academic institution, funders, state bodies and government departments. The potential of collaboration is significant. In recent years collaborative strategies have resulted in changes to law and policy, referendums, public support and successful resistance to budget cuts. However collaboration can come at a cost. It requires a significant investment of time and energy, is not always successful, and at times can end up damaging relationships where trust breaks down.
For our 5th Knowledge Exchange Forum we are inviting those with experience of collaboration in advocacy to submit their experiences for inclusion in this event. The objectives of this forum are to provide an opportunity to learn from experience of collaborative advocacy and explore the potential of collaboration for social justice advocacy in Ireland today. The forum will: 1. Allow those involved in advocacy to explore how more collaboration could strengthen their impact. 2. Highlight examples of collaboration and what has been learned from these experiences. 3. Provide a space for peer support and learning for social justice advocates. 4. Create opportunities for those interested in strengthen collaboration to discuss potential opportunities.
Proposals should be between 300-500 words and include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Details of the advocacy objectives and purpose of the collaboration. An outline of the organisations/partners involved. A summary of the key activities undertaken. Identification of the outcomes or learning from the collaboration.
Proposals will be selected to reflect a broad diversity of collaborative experiences outlined in the ‘Advocacy Collaboration Matrix’ (see diagram opposite). The aim is to provide an opportunity for learning and exchange for social justice advocates, hence the success of the collaboration is much less important than what you learned from the experience. If your proposal is accepted you will be invited to prepare a SWOT which will be presented at the forum. A SWOT analysis summarises the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats faced by the collaboration project. You will not be asked to prepare a full written paper or presentation, but the SWOTs will be made available to all the participants at the forum. SWOTs should be submitted by Friday 1st November. The forum will be held on Wednesday 20th November from 11:00-16:00 at a Dublin city centre venue.
Advocacy Collaboration Matrix (adapted from The Wheel, Collaborate to Innovation, 2013).
Proposals should be sent to connect@advocacyinitiative.ie before Friday 27th September. If you have any questions please contact: Anna Visser, Director, The Advocacy Initiative on connect@advocacyinitiative.ie or call 086 3954050.